Water cooled brake rim for draw works



July 18, 1933.

J. D, SPALDING WATER COOLED BRAKE RIM FOR DRAW WORKS Filed March 1', 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 all Inventor July 18 1933. J. D. sPALDlNG 1,918,501

WATER COOLED BRAKE RIM FOR DRAW WORKS Filed March l, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 j E *E 60 5940 57 58 I 55 56 f A g g 60 5 46 f4 i9 ff'wentor .llarneju July 18, 1933.l

J. D, sPALDlNG WATER COOLED BRAKE RIM FOR DRAW WORKS Filed March l, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES ,PATENT OFFICE JOHN D. SPALDING, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 THE NATIONAL SUPPLY COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A. CORIOBATION 0F OHIO WATER COOLED BRAKE RIM FOR DRAW WORKS Application led March 1,

This invention relates to an improvement in the means for dissipating or absorbing the heat generated in 'a brake structure and is more particularly related to a braking system employed in connection with an oil well drawworks.

With the drilling of deep wells now to approximately 10,000 feet, it is imperative to provide some means for absorblng or abstracting the heat generated by friction in the bra-ke rims during the lowerin of a. string of pipe or casing to Such dept particularly in view of the relatively high speeds at which such lowering operation 1s accomplished.

The primary object of this invention is to provide `a means for cooling a plurality of brake'rims which are mounted upon a common shaft by means of a circulatory heat exchanging system employing a liquid coolant such as water wherein the coolant is so distributed to thebrake rims as to be delivered through at substantially the same pressure and temperature. A

A further object of this invention is to provide a simple, compact and eicient means -for circulating the waterl through the druml shaft of a drawworks and distributing the water under pressure to a-plurality of brake rims and collecting the water so circulated into a common outlet from which` the water is discharged.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved means for circulating' a cooling liquid or coolant to and from the drum shaft of a rotary drawworks through a rotary packing gland, the stationary or fixed portion of which is aligned and maintained as a unitary combination with the drum shaft bearing assembly so that the entire circulation system which is incorporated in the drum shaft assembly remains as a self-contained unit to facilitate transportation and erection in the field.

Another object of this Iinvention is to provide an improved means for circulating a cooling means or coolant to and from the drumjshaft'cof a drawworks through a rov tary packing gland from the opposed end or ends of the Shaft and wherein means are 19.32. Serial No. 596,089.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In thev drawings: v

Figure 1 is a. side elevation mainly in vertical midsection of a drawworks drum shaft assembly embodying my invention.

`Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged cross section of the brake rim structure'and coolant circulating connection therefor taken substantially on the line 2--2 -of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation partly in vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Fi ure 4 is an end elevation taken substant1ally on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the drum shaft bearing assembly embodied in my invention.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of i the drum shaft bearing and packing gland assembly embodied in my invention.

. Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of one of the brake rims embodied in my`invention taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 4. V

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a modified construction embodying my invention.

Figure 9 is an enlarged end elevation of the modified structure illustrated in Figure 8.

In the preferred embodiment of m yinvention 1 lindicates a drum shaft on w ich the drum formed of two spooling portions 2 and 3 is mounted. The spooling portions 2 and 3 are secured together in any suitable or desl-rable manner such, for example, as at the weld 4 to form a one-piece spooling drum v as, for example, illustrated 1n the patent "Brake rims 5 are secured to the drum flanges 6 of the spooling portions 2 and 3 by any suitable or desirable means such, for example, as by means of bolts 7. The shaft 1 is'journaled in bearings 8 which are supported by posts 9.

Means are provided for driving the shaft 1 at a plurality of selected speeds, which 'means may be of rany suitable or desirable construction and are herein illustrated as including sprockets 10 and 11. The sprockets 10 and 1l are driven in any suitable or desirable manner such, for example, as by means ofsprocket chains from a line shaft (not shown) common in drawworks ,construction. The sprockets 10 and 11 are re* leasably engaged with the drum shaft 1 by means of clutches 12 and'13 when the drum is utilized for hoisting.

When it is desired to lower the drillpipe casing into a well, brake bands 14 mounted upon the brake rims 5 are actuated in any desired manner well known in the art to retard and stop the downward travel of the pipe or casing.

The brake rims 5 are formed to provide enclosed annular coolant chambers 15 within the periphery thereof and which chambers form a circulating passage for a liquid coolant such, for example, as water within the periphery of the brake rims 5. The coolant is circulated to the annular coolant chambers from a conduit 16 which is connected to any suitable supply of coolant under pressure. The coolant passes through a passage 17 formed in a bracket 18 and into a sleeve 19 fitted within a rotary packing gland 20. The sleeve 19 registers with a longitudinal bore 21 formed in the shaft 1. The bore 21'v forms the inlet Iconduit for the distributing system hereinafter' to be described. The coolant distributing system includes an inlet T fitting 23 which is threaded into the transverse bore 24 connecting with the longitudinal bore 21. The branches of the T 23 are connected to pipe sections 24 and 25 which extend parallel with the hoisting drum. The pipe sections 24 and 25 pass through fittings 26 secured to the flanges 26a of the drum sections 2 and 3. The flanged fittings 26 are connected at the flanges to pipe Ls 27.

The pipe Ls 27 are connected at their opposite ends to fittings 28 which are secured in position to register with ports 29 lead-V ing to the coolant circulating chambers 15 formed within the periphery of the brake rims v5. Two such divergent ports 29 are provided and lead to opposite sides of the partition 30 formed across the chamber 15. It will thus be obvious that the coolant inv troduced into the chamber 15 must flow in it passes through a pair of outlets 31 formed on opposite sides of a second partition 32. The coolant leaving the chamber 15 through the outlets 31 passes through a bracket 33 to the pipe L 34, flanged fitting 35, and pipe sectionsf36 to the return T fitting 37 which is threaded into a transverse port 38. The transverse port 38 connects at its end with the longitudinal bore 39 formed within the shaft l which provides the outlet conduit for the coolant.

The circulation of the coolant :is through a parallel or multiple iflow system both through the distributing system and through the different branches of the coolant circulating chambers 15.

By causing the coolant to flow through the chambers 15 in opposed directions from the partition 30 there are no two sections of the chamber 15 containing coolant at materially different temperatures, and where the two currents of coolant traveling in opposite directions return to the outlet on the opposite sides of the partitions 32, they are substantially at the same temperature and pressure.

lBy the parallel oz' multiple system of flow provided, the coolant is circulated to each of the chambers 15 under substantially equal pressure and is returned to the circulating system likewise at substantially equal pressure and temperature so that the strain set up Within the drum structure by the cooling effect of the coolantl is reducedto a minimum.

The outlet conduit 39 connects with a sleeve 40 secured to the outlet bracket 41. The sleeve 40 extends through a rotary packing gland 42. Formed in the bracket 40 is'an outlet passage 43 through which the coolant flows to the discharge pipe 44. The discharge pipe 44 may lead directly to a point of disposal of the coolant or may be provided with any suitable or desirableform of back pres- Vsure valve so as to maintain a back pressure on the fluid circulating through the chambers 15. f

Means are provided for draining the water from the chambers 15 when desired and for this purpose plugs 45 are threaded in the openings formed from the chambers 15. The flange connections 28 and 33, as illustrated in lFigure 3, have curved ports 46 which connect with the conduits 27 or 34 at one end and are closed by screw plugs 47 at their opposite and passages from corrosion or other causes.

The inlet and outlet connections to and from the conduits or ports 21 and 39 are substan tially the same and are preferably of the following construetion, one of which constructions is particularly illustrated in Figure 6 and includes the rotary packing gland 44 at the outlet end of the shaft 1.

The shaft 1 is journaled on a self-aligning roller bearing unit which consists of an inner race 48, roller assembly 49, an outer race 50. The outer race 50 has a spherical outer contour which fits Within the spherical opening in the bearing box to permit alignment o the bearing unit with the shaft. By this means the axis of the outer race 50 will always coincide with the axis of the shaft 1.

An annular plate 51 fits within a recess at the outer end of the race 50 and is preferably spot-welded to the race as at 52. The plate 51 provides an enclosure for the roller assembly 49 and alsol a thrust face to fixV the axial position of the drum shaft assembly as will hereinafter be described. The plate 51 is flanged at 53 for approximately onehalfof its circumference to provide a connection for the bracket 41, which has a complementary semi-annular flange. The bracket 41 is secured to the flange 53 by means of cap screws 54.

The sleeve 40 is secured to the bracket 41 by extending into an opening formed therein and by means of a flanged collar 55 which is Welded to the sleeve 40. The flanged collar 55 is secured in position by means of bolts 56. A gasket 57 is provided for maintaining a water-tight joint at this connection.

The rotary packing gland 42 which sur-v rounds the sleeve 40 is provided with suitable packing 58 which is compressed as required by means of a screw-follower 59. The rotary packing gland 42 is secured to the shaft l by means of cap screws 60.

l The rotary packing gland 42 has an outwardly projecting flange 61 which projects beyond the periphery of the shaft 1 to form a thrust face to fix the axial alignment of the shaft 1 with respect to the stationary thrust face formed in the plate 51. A relaceable thrust face washer 62 is interposed tween the plate 51 and the flange 61 to form a bearing. The outer portion of the bracket 41 is connected with a flanged portion 61 by means of connecting arms 63.

In Figures 8 and 9 I have illustrated a modified form of my invention which is similar to that heretofore defined so that similar numerals ha Je been applied thereto with the addition of an exponent b, except that the brake rim 5b has a single circulating water passage which extends entirely around the circumference of the rim from inlet to outlet. The internal arrangement of the. piping within the drum portion is the same as that shown and described in the previous modification of my invention. The inlet pipe 27?) and the outlet pipe34b connect with a common manifold 7 0b which has separate ports which register with the brake rim ports 715 and 72b. A dam 32? separates the passages 71h and 72b so that the water which is circulated to the rim at 715 passes completely around the rim chamber 15b to the outlet passage 7 2b-`from which point it is discharged through the conduit 37b and out of the shaft through the bore 395. The opposite rim 5b will have the water connection portion diametrically opposite to the one described in order to obtain a static balance ofthe drum assembly. l

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is-o'f the full scope of the appended claims.

. I claim:

1. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a drum, a shaft upon which said drum is supported, spaced brake rims secured to said drum, means defining coolant chambers within said brake rims, inlet means for conducting a coolant longitudinally of said shaft, means for distributing said coolant to opposed brake rim chambers, means parallel with said inlet means for returning the coolant to said shaft, and outlet means extending longitudinally of said shaft for conducting said coolant from each of said chambers and from the hoisting apparatus.

2. In a hoisting apparatus, a drum shaft assembly including a drum shaft, a drum mounted thereon, a pair of brake rims, a circulatory system within said drum shaft assembly including means for delivering a coolant liquid individually in substantially equal amounts to -each of the brake rims under substantially the same pressure and temperature from a common source within the drum shaft assembly, means to confine the circulatingv coolant liquid within said brake rims, and means to convey said coolant from each of the said brake rims.

3. In a hoisting apparatus, a drum shaft assembly including a shaft, a hoisting drum mounted thereon, a plurality of brake rims secured to said drum, a liquid coolant circulating system Within said drum shaft assembly, including means for conveying the coolant individually in substantially equal amounts to each of the brake rims under substantially the same pressure and temperature from a common source circulated through the shaft, a circulating passage formed within said brake rims to confine said circulating coolant, an outlet connection in each of said brake rims, means including conduit connections for conveying the coolant from the rims to a point of discharge from said/shaft.

4. In a. hoisting apparatus, the combina-fA tion of a drum, a shaft supportmg said drumfy. brake 'rims at opposite ends of said drum. a

circulatory system within said hoisting a pparatus lncludmg a longitudinal passage through said shaft connecting by means of a lateral port with a T-fitting, conduits connected with the branches of said T-fitting,

i said conduits being connected with said brake rims, said rims having formed therein circulating passages from the inlet connection to an outlet connection, said outlet connection having conduit connections Which connect to a T-fitting that registers With a separate longitudinal passage in the shaft for conveying the coolant from the shaft.

5. In alhoisting apparatus, the combination of a drum shaft assembly including a drum, a shaft upon Which the drum is mounted, a pair of brake rims, a coolant distribution systeln Within the drum, including multiple flow means for conducting-a coolant to each brake rim, mea-ns for returning the coolant from the brake rims, and means for .tion of a shaft, a drum supported by the shaft conducting the coolant to and from the distribution system within the drum.

6. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a drum shaft assembly including a drum, a shaft uponwhich the drum is mounted, a pair of brake rims secured to the drum, a coolant distribution system within the drum, including multiple fiow means for conducting a coolant to each brake rim, means 'for returning the coolant from the brake rims, and conduits extending longitudinally of the shaft for a portion of its length for delivering coolant to and taking coolant from said distribution system.

7. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a shaft, a hoisting drum assembly supported on the shaft including brake rims at the opposed ends thereof, means for defining enclosed cooling liquid chambers Within the inner peripheries of said brake rims, multiple flow means for delivering a cooling liquid to the chambers thus formed froln a single source of cooling liquid mounted within the drum assembly, and means providing a multiple flow for returning the cooling liquid from the brake rim chambers to a single discharge collector.

8. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a shaft, a hoisting drum assembly supported on the shaft including brake rims at the opposed ends thereof, means for defining enclosed cooling liquid chambers Within the lnner peripheriesof said brake rims, means for delivering the liquid to Within the enclosed cooling liquid chambers, including a conduit extending parallel With the axis of the drum assembly', and means for conducting the cooling liquid from said chambers, including a conduit extending parallel with said axis, said means for delivering said liquid to said chambers being connected to a common collector of cooling liquid mounted Within. the hoisting drum assembly, and said means for conducting the cooling liquid from the chambers being connected to a common discha rge collector mounted Within said drum assembly,.means for supplying the first said collector With cooling liquid, and means for conducting the cooling liquid away from said drum assembly and from said discharge collector.

9. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drum havlng a pair of brake rims at its opposed ends, means for forming enclosed cooling liquid chambers Within the brake rims, a cooling liquid intake manifold, a cooling liquid discharge manifold, means includin a conduit extending parallel With the axls of the drum for conducting cooling liquid from the intake manifold to the said chambers, and means including a conduit extending parallel with said axis for conducting cooling liquid from said chambers to the outlet manifold.

10. In a rotary draWWorks, the combinaand formed with a plurality of sections and having a spooling portion spaced from the shaft, a brake rim mounted on the drum,means on the brake rim to define a cooling liquid circulationchamber Within the brake rim, in-l let means extending longitudinally of the shaft for conveyingcooling liquid to a point Within the spooling section of the drum, a

distributor and a collector positioned within the space defined between the spool portion and the shaft, conduit means connecting the distributor with the chamber in the brake rim. means connecting the distributor with said inlet means, conduit means connecting the chamber in the brake rim with the collector, and means to conduct the liquid from the collector including means extending longitudinally of the shaft.

11. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drum shaft, a drum mounted thereon, brake rims at opposite ends of the drum,

the drum including a spool section spaced from the shaft, cooling liquid inlet and outlet manifolds within the space between the spool section and the shaft, means extending longitudinally of the shaft for conveying cooling liquid to said inlet manifold means for conveying the cooling liquid from the inlet man1- fold to said brake rims, means for confining the cooling liquid Within the brake rims, means for conveying the liquid from said brake rims to the outlet manifold, and means extending longitudinally ofy the shaft for ,conveying saidliquid from the outlet mani- 12. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drum shaft, a drum mounted thereon, a brake rim secured to the drum, a cooling liquid inlet manifold and a cooling liquid outlet manifold supported on the shaft,

a cooling liquid inlet passage formed in the shaft for delivering cooling liquid to the inlet manifold. means for conducting the cooling liquid from the inlet manifold to the brake rim, means for conveying the cooling liquid from the brake rim to the outlet manifold, and means for conveying the cooling liquid from the outlet manifold.

Y fo d.

13. Ina rotary drawworks, the combination of a drumshaft, a drum mounted thereon, brake rims at the opposite ends of the drum, the drum including a spool section spaced from'the shaft, cooling liquid inlet and outlet manifolds positioned within the space between the spool section and the shaft, means for conveying cooling liquid to said inlet manifold, means for conveying the cooling liquid from the inlet manifold to the brake rims, means for confining the cooling liquid within the brake rims, means for conveying the cooling liquid from the brake rims to the outlet manifold, and means for conveying saidliquid from the outlet manifold.

14. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drum, a shaft supporting the drum, the drum being formed of half sections, each of which sections includes a portion of the spooling portion of the drum, an inwardly extending annular flange terminating in a hearing hub, an upwardly extending annular flan e to which the brake rim is secured, a cooling liquid inlet manifold positioned on the shaft, a cooling liquid outlet manifold positioned on the shaft, means for securing the sections of the drum together to confine the manifolds within the drum, means for conducting a cooling liquid to the inlet manifold, conduits extending from the inlet manifold to the opposed brake rims, means for circulating the cooling liquid around the brake rims, conduits extending from the brake rims for conveying the cooling liquid to the outlet manifold, and means for conveyin the cooling liquid'from the outlet mani- 15. In a rotary drawworlrs, the combination of a drum shaft, a drum sup orted on the drum-shaft, a eoolin liquid in et manifold mounted Within the rum, brake rims at the opposed ends of the drum, means for passing a cooling liquid to the inlet manifold, means for delivering the cooling liquid from the inlet manifold to the brake rims, and means for conducting the cooling liquid from the brake rims.

16. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drum shaft, a drum supported on the drum shaft, a pair of spaced manifolds mounted within the drum, brake rims at the opposed ends of the drum, means for passing a. cooling liquid to one of said manifolds, means for delivering the cooling liquid from the latter said manifold to the brake rims, means for returning the cooling liquid to the other manifold, and means for conducting the cooling liquid from the manifold.

17. In a rotary drawworlrs, the combination of a drum shaft, a. drum secured to the shaft, brake rims at the opposite ends of the drum, spaced cooling liquid inlet and outlet manifolds mounted Within the drum, means for passing a coolin liquid to the inlet manifold, means for con ueting the cooling liquid tion of a drum shaft, a drum mounted there-v on, the drum having a spooling portion spaced from the shaft, a brake rim secured to the drum, a cooling liquid inlet and outlet manifold supported on the shaft and within the space formed between the shaft and the spooling portion of the drum, a Acooling liquid inlet passage provided Within the shaft for delivering cooling liquid to the inlet manifold, means for conducting the cooling liquid from the inlet manifold to the brake rim, means for conveying the cooling liquid from the brake rim to the outlet manifold, and means for conveying the cooling liquid from the outlet manifold through an outlet passage provided within said shaft.

19. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a drum shaft, a drum mounted thereon, the drum having a spooling portion spaced from the shaft, a brake rim secured to the drum, a cooling liquid inlet and outlet manifold supported on the shaft and within the space formed between the shaft and the spooling portion of the drum,`a cooling liquid inlet passage provided within the shaft for deliverin cooling liquid to the inlet manifold, means or conducting the cooling liquid from the inlet manifold to the brake rim, means for conveying the cooling liquid from the brake rim to the outlet manifold, means for conveying the cooling liquid from the outlet manifold through an outlet passage provided within said shaft'in which structure the shaft inlet and outlet passages are coaxially aligned.

20. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drum shaft, a spooling drum supported on the drum shaft, a plurality of brake rims mounted in non-rotative relation with said spooling drum, a cooling liquid inlet manifold mounted within the spooling drum, means forpassing a cooling liquid to the inlet manifold, means including a plurality of branch communications for delivering the cooling liquid from the inlet manifold to the brake rims, and means for conducting the cooling liquid from the brake rims.

21. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drum shaft, a spooling drum supported on the drum shaft, a plurality of brake rims mounted in non-rotative relation with said spooling drum, a cooling liquid inlet manifold mounted on the drum shaft, means for passing a cooling liquid to the inlet manifold, means including a plurality of branch communications for delivering the cooling liquid from the inlet manifold to the brake rims, and means for conducting the cooling liquid from the brake rims.

22. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a shaft, a drum supported by the shaft, including a spooling portion, a pair of end flanges supporting the spooling portion in position spaced from the shaft to provide a chamber defin-ed by the shaft, the spooling portion and the end flanges, means for delivering cooling liquid through the shaft to the chamber, means mounted in the chamber for conducting the cooling liquid therefrom to the brake rims, and means for returning the cooling liquid from the brake rims through the end flanges to the shaft, and outlet means in the shaft for conducting the cooling liquid to the exterior of the drawworks. I

23. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a shaft, a drum supported bythe shaft including a spooling portion, -a pair of end flanges supporting the spooling portion spaced from the shaft, means for delivering cooling liquid through the shaft, means between the end flanges connected with the latter said means for conducting the cooling liquid from the shaft to the brake rims, means for returningthe cooling liquiclfrom thebrake rims through the end flanges, outlet means in Vthe shaft for conducting the cooling liquid to the exterior of the drawworks, and means connecting the outlet means and the said means for returning the cooling liquid from the brake rims.

24. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination of a shaft having cooling liquid inlet and outlet means formed therein, a hoisting drum supported by the shaft, the hoisting drum including a spooling portion, end flanges supporting the spooling portion, brake rims supported by the end flanges, means within the brake rims defining coolingliquid receiving chambers, means extending ,from the cooling liquid receiving chambers through the end flanges to the liquid inlet means formed in the shaft, and means extending from each of the brake rims through the end flanges and connecting with the cooling liquid outlet means formed in the shaft.

25. In a rotary drawworks, the combination of a drumshaft, a hoisting and lowering drum mounted thereon, said drum including spaced end flanges having hubs positi'oned on the shaft and a cable spooling portion positioned between said end flanges,`

brake rims positioned on said end flanges, conduit means supported by said end flanges, said conduit means including inlet means for supplying cooling liquid to the brake rims and outlet means for conveying the liquid from the brake rims, and means in communication with the conduit means to convey a liquid to and from said conduit means through the ends of said shaft.

JOHN D. SPALDING. 

